Essay On Music Hall

955 Words2 Pages

In this essay I will be analysing my contribution to the Commedia del' Arte research project, with specific reference to Music Hall.
Music Hall performances developed in saloon bars and public houses throughout the 1830’s. Audiences were expected to eat, drink and chat during the show. Their participation was also encouraged, even if it meant heckling or throwing things at the performers. This made for a chaotic and vibrant new style of entertainment renowned for its inclusive atmosphere. The popularity and reputation of Music Hall boomed, and into the 1850’s many of the public houses were demolished to make way for purpose-built Music Hall theatres, such as the 700 seat ‘Canterbury Theatre’ in London. Built by Charles Morton, it was considered the ‘Father of Music Halls’.
The Halls provided an opportunity for anyone with a talent to earn a decent living on the stage. In particular they were considered a rare source of empowerment for working class women, allowing some of them to make an independent career for themselves. In this way Music Hall and commedia shared many values, allowing both sexes equal opportunities on the stage and being dominated by working class traditions.
In preparation for our presentation, there was one key point we made crucial to convey to our audience: the links between Commedia del’ Arte and Music Hall. We split up smaller points that needed to be covered and went about the research for them individually. When we came together, we focused on the best possible way to present our presentation, making it clear and informative but without losing the interest of our audience. We came to the idea to give our presentation in the form of a Music Hall performance. The motivation behind this was to keep our audi...

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...ing it. Of course we would ensure that there were “catchy” phrases they could never get out of their heads!

I found this presentation to be both challenging and exciting, a perfect duo. I faced a few individual struggles but the fact that I was able to overcome them is most important. If we were to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change anything concerning what we researched and what links we made, I would only add to it. If preparation and presentation time wasn’t an issue, it would have been great to set the area out as an old Music Hall theatre, serve pub food and drinks, have variety acts and basically attempt to create a identical atmosphere to what is was like. However, I have learned an amazing amount about Commedia del’ Arte and Music Hall for the little time we had, and will take my findings and observations forward when pursuing anything to do with them.

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